Effects of dietary manganese sources and levels on growth performance, relative manganese bioavailability, antioxidant activities and tissue mineral content of juvenile cobia (Rachycentron canadumL)

This study was conducted to compare the effects of manganese sulphate (Mn-S), glycine manganese(Mn-Gly) and manganese 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butyrate (Mn-HMB) on juvenile cobia, Rachycentron canadum L. Treatments consisted of 0, 2, 4, 8, 16 or 32 mg supplemental Mn kg−1 from Mn-S, Mn-Gly or Mn-MHB. Growth performance, manganese status, antioxidant activities and tissue mineral content were analysed after a 70-day feeding period. Specific growth rate (SGR) increased with feeding 6.29 to 12.65 mg Mn kg−1 diet from the Mn-S or 6.86 to 12.39 mg Mn kg−1 from the Mn-Gly or 6.50 to 8.33 mg Mn kg−1 from the Mn-HMB and then plateaued above these levels. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) show decreasing first and then increased trend. Survival rate (SR) were not affected by the dietary treatments (P > 0.05). Fish fed diets supplemented with manganese at levels of 4–32 mg Mn kg−1 had obviously higher hepatic Mn-SOD activity (P